Judge grants protective order in Jackson bribery scandal, keeping evidence from public scrutiny
Order will likely also affect pre-trial motions filed in case that involves Jackson’s mayor, Hinds County’s DA and a councilmember
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A federal judge has decided to grant a protective order in the Jackson bribery scandal, keeping evidence in the case from being made public.
This means any evidence used by the prosecution and defense cannot be publicly disclosed.
The scandal, which 3 On Your Side first began unearthing details about in June through interviews with council members, resulted in a flurry of federal charges last November against Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks.
Federal investigators paint Owens as the ringleader after his enticement by developers to help get their convention center hotel project approved.
Two council members speculated to 3 On Your Side that those developers could be undercover FBI agents, a detail confirmed in November after a federal grand jury indicted the three elected officials.
Agents allege the pseudo-developers and Owens attempted to bribe council members in early 2024 in exchange for their votes and get Mayor Lumumba on board because of his influence.
Two council members, Angelique Lee and Banks, accepted money in exchange for their future votes.
Investigators provided photos showing Lumumba accepting five $10,000 checks disguised as campaign contributions in exchange for his assistance in moving a bid deadline back for the developers.
Lumumba, Owens and Banks have all pleaded not guilty and await trial.
In August, Lee resigned from her Ward 2 office and pleaded guilty to bribery the same day.
Wednesday’s order, signed by Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac, even goes as far as to suggest that pre-trial motions being filed should be restricted as well, meaning residents would likely not learn anything about new developments until the eventual trial before a jury.
The order includes all discovery material that the government produces to the defendants and their attorneys. Failure to observe the court’s order could result in sanctions or contempt charges.
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.
Copyright 2025 WLBT. All rights reserved.